Abstract: A slight, 13.2 psia, underpressure is created, and dynamically maintained, in the ullage space of the oil tanks of an unmanned barge in order to prevent or reduce the spillage of oil due to any rupture of the tanks. The underpressure is created by ejecting a high pressure gas, preferably 500 psia inert nitrogen gas in a 16 ft.sup.3 storage bottle, through an ejector that is also flow-connected to the ullage spaces of the barge's tanks. The gaseous mixture within the ullage space is preferably inerted so as to prevent combustion or explosion by mixing with the same high pressure inert gas that is otherwise used to energize the ejection. All flow connections are controlled by electric valves managed by a control computer that responds to tank level, pressure, and/or gaseous mixture sensors.

Abstract: Adjustment of a power boat's trim tabs is automated throughout all phases of the operation of the boat. The boat's speed and/or the revolutions of its engine(s) are sensed and used by electronic circuits, including microprocessor-based circuits, to control prime movers, typically hydraulic pumps, in order to move the trim tabs to their optimal position. In one embodiment the boat's speed is sensed by a speedometer. Below a first predetermined speed, the boat's trim tabs are moved full down. Above a second, higher, predetermined speed the trim tabs are moved full up. In another embodiment the trim tabs are further adjusted in and about their up position, and while the boat is on-plane, so as to optimize the performance of the boat. The boat's on-plane performance is monitored by a speedometer or, preferably, by one or more tachometers.

Abstract: An improved process for the measurement of blood circulation by means of colored microspheres is presented, which process replaces the previous counting procedure when using colored microspheres by a rapidly reproducible measurement method. This avoids the complicated and expensive use of radioactively labelled microspheres. At the same time, a coloring process for the preparation of the microspheres is presented which is distinguished by homogeneous and intensive coloration of the microspheres.

Abstract: A programmed irrigation controller automatically computes durations for, schedules, and controls split irrigation cycles at up to eight watering stations. The controller is manually entered with high-level information regarding soil type, terrain, and irrigation system watering head type, and also with a total irrigation time, for each station. The maximum "on" time duration for each individual split irrigation cycle, and a minimum "off" time duration, are determined from the high-level information input by table lookup. The controller computes the number of irrigation cycles at each station as its total irrigation time divided by its maximum "on" time duration. The controller schedules composite irrigation cycles for all stations so that no station overwaters within a single irrigation cycle or upon successive irrigation cycles that are too closely time proximate. Exclusionary time-of-day intervals that specify when no watering will occur can be inserted within the schedules.

Abstract: One end of each of two stretchable and tensionable elastomeric hoses, preferably brightly-colored neoprene surgical hoses, slips over and compressively grasps an associated temple piece of an eyeglass frame. Each hose slips through, and is squeezed by, an axial bore within one leg of a one of two "L" shaped fittings. The fittings are typically made of molded plastic. The remaining end of each hose fits over a cylindrical protuberance, located on the leg of the "L" opposite to the bore, of the other fitting than that fitting through which it passes the bore. Accordingly, in a first, eyeglass holder, configuration each fitting compressively affixes to one end of one hose while it simultaneously slips and slides under frictional force through its bore the length of the other hose. By a variably adjustable amount of overlap between the two hoses an eyeglass holder of variable length and tension is realized.

Abstract: The separation between two plates or electrodes--between which plates a developer solution is applied to develop a latent electrostatic charge image on a photoconductive medium within an electrophotographic imager--is varied in proportion to a detected concentration of toner within the developer solution. Resultantly to this control of the separation of the two plates, the proximity of the medium's photoconductive surface to a one plate, and the strength of the electric field between that plate and the photoconductive surface, is also controlled. By the control the thickness and density of the applied toner film is maintained constant, and a high quality image is maintained, despite depletion of toner from the developer solution. The toner concentration is preferably sensed as electrical resistance. A control circuit responsive to this sensed resistance preferably includes an analog-digital converter, a microprocessor, a stepper motor driver/controller, and a stepper motor rotating a cam.

Abstract: Microspheres labeled with a dye for which the absorption spectra is known permit the measurement of blood flows, particularly regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF), without radiation safety concerns and radioactive waste disposal problems. Polystyrene spheres, nominally of diameter 15.+-.0.1 [SD] um and density 1.09 g/ml, are dyed with a fixed quantity, nominally 30 picograms per microsphere, with one of several, nominally 5, colored dyes. The colored microspheres (CM) are injected into the left atrium or into a coronary perfusion. The CM are extracted from myocardium and blood by digestion with KOH and subsequent microfiltration. The dyes are then recovered from the CM within a defined volume of a solvent, and their concentrations are determined by spectrophotometry. The composite absorbance or emission spectra of several dyes are mathematically resolved using matrix inversion. Leaching of dye from the CM was less than 0.

Abstract: An irrigation controller is powered for all normal operations by light incident upon an 18 square inch photovoltaic module. Electrical power from the photovoltaic module is stored in high performance "super" capacitors. A transportable battery power source is connected to the controller to power its communication, such as for manual exercise and/or the loading of irrigation control programs. The external battery power source leaves the capacitor power storage recharged at the conclusion of each communication episode. The irrigation controller electronics, save for a real time clock that is updated, are not provided with a timing signal, and thereby consume almost no energy, save for brief millisecond sporadic time intervals of scheduled irrigation control. Capacitor power storage is approximately 6.5 mWH. Worse case photovoltaic energy production is 7.6 mWH daily. The sporadically operative irrigation controller uses less than 6.

Abstract: A self contained, self-powered, bright, typically visible, light source in a strong case having a transparent dome is thrown or fired into position by police as a non-injurious agent of coercive intervention. Light is emitted after a predetermined delay, typically ten seconds, from a unidirectional manual actuation, typically by act of pulling an insulating plastic strip from between electrical contacts within the case. Once activated, the light source may not be readily deactivated, and will shine sufficiently brightly so as to be temporarily blinding to the direct view of any human who is close enough to the light source so as to touch it. A spent light source may be discarded but is commonly recycled by being recharged.

Abstract: The differential-pressure-sensing and variable-area-occluding fundtions within variable-area flowmeters and flow regulators are performed by separate, but mechanically connected, elements. A housing defines a channel for guiding fluid flow from an upstream to a downstream location. A differential pressure sensor moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in response to a differential fluid pressure between the upstream and downstream locations. Because the movement of the pressure sensor is substantially perpendicular to the flowing fluid with which it comes in contact, it is substantially insensitive to fluid friction and to changes in fluid viscosity. A flow obstructor connects to the sensor and moves therewith to variably obstruct the channel and its flow of fluid from the upstream to the downstream location. Fluid frictional forces on the movement of the flow obstructor vary with changes in fluid viscosity.

Abstract: Separate, but related, firmware programs for multiple microprocessor-controlled irrigation controllers that are interrelated in their control of irrigation within an irrigation system are generated off-line at a personal computer. The programs are downloaded into a transportable memory device that holds sixty-four separate programs. The memory device is transported to each irrigation controller and plugged to a digital communication channel. The device automatically identifies itself to the controller, and vice versa. The appropriate program is automatically uploaded from the device to the controller. The controller's old program and its historical irrigation record data is loaded into the device and delivered to the personal computer for validation and analysis. A wireless remote test command assembly, an extension maintenance panel, or a radio-link central module may be alternatively connected to the controller's digital communication channel.

Abstract: An electromagnet defines a gap between a first polepiece in the shape of the butt end of an elongate cylinder and a second polepiece in the shape of a thick annular ring. A permanent magnet having its poles aligned along the axis of the cylinder moves bidirectionally in the gap in response to alternate polarity energization of the electromagnet, serving as a prime mover. When the electromagnet is not energized then the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet shunts an adjacent polepiece, holding the magnet in place. Upon energization of the electromagnet the relatiely strong magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is switched by a relatively weak electromagnetic flux to pass through the electromagnet, exerting an electromotive force on the permanent magnet and causing it to move. This flux switching offers gain: a one-half gram samarium cobalt permanent magnet moves 0.38 mm in response to a 0.015 ampere 1.5 v.d.c. 20 millisecond current pulse (4.5.times.10.sup.-4 joules) and holds at 40.+-.2g's.

Abstract: A system to reduce outflow of liquid such as oil due to the rupture of a ship's tank by means of creating and continuing to maintain a partial vacuum in the affected tank or tanks. The system generates a partial vacuum below the atmospheric pressure in the ullage space of the tank(s) and maintains the vacuum to precisely balance the forces acting on the contents of the tank. If the rupture is below the water line then, due to surface tension dynamics resulting in a stratified flow, water will tend to force itself through the lower part of the rupture and force the oil upward and pump out oil over the water until the water level reaches the top part of the rupture. When the water level reaches the top part of the rupture, an equilibrium condition is established and precisely maintained by the partial vacuum condition created by the system.

Abstract: A computerized tachistoscope presents information in a transitory, flashed, manner in order to mandate student-user attentiveness, retention, and learning. Particularly in teaching reading successive groups of words, typically of three words each, are transitorily successively presented in positions actually occupied by the word groups within a block of text. Required reading is unidirectionally forward while each successive fixation of the eye must assimilate multiple, and not individual, words. Particularly in teaching spelling a word image is flashed and a student-user is quizzed to spell the word, which word is no longer visible. In teaching reading the base rate of the transitory presentation of successive groups of words is intermittently automatically accelerated, normally about 10% for the successive presentations of many successive word groups, in order to force the student-user to sprint, and to thereby extend his or her reading rate.

Abstract: A computer-based system controls (i) speed, (ii) speed and acceleration and/or (iii) trim. Trim control is responsive to sensed inclination. Inclination/acceleration is sensed by an inclinometer/accelerometer having an electrically conductive fluid that flows within a conduit. The fluid assumes different positions in its flow path under differing gravitational and acceleration forces. A multiplicity of pins, positionally arrayed along the fluid flow path within the conduit, electrically sense the presence, or absence, of the fluid at a corresponding position within its flow path. The same computer-based system otherwise used for speed, acceleration and/or trim control also serves as a safety system interactive with a human operator for the sequencing and control of activities during the launch, use, and recovery of the power boat.

Abstract: A controller electrically interfaced to a video game computer or the like for the purpose of controlling a progression of the video game or the like is selectively actuated by discrete motions and forces the locations, magnitudes, and orientations of which are variably predetermined by the user. Pressure, or proximity, sensor units, normally four in number, are independently placeable upon any surface, and normally upon a floor. The signals produced by the arbitrarily located pressure or proximity sensors are received by a video game control unit and used to produce electrical signals suitable to be received by a conventional video game computer or the like for the purpose of controlling the progression of the video game. An adjustable sensor cartridge assembly for use with a video game controller allows a user to selectively position the sensor within the collar's cavity and relative to the human user.

Abstract: An electronically operated primary valve actuation assembly is disclosed for use on a fluid valve in an irrigation system that can be run solely by ambient light energy. In operation, water passes from the high pressure side of a fluid valve through a filter assembly which removes particles as small as 0.002 inches. The microfilter assembly also has a magnet which further removes magnetic particles. As water exits the filter assembly it enter a microvalve actuation assembly which has two microvalves with valve inlet holes approximately 0.013 inches in diameter. It is necessary to filter the water to keep the microvalve holes from clogging. The microvalves are arranged such that when one valve is open the other valve is closed and vice versa. The microvalves require only a small amount of force to open or close the microvalve against high water pressure normally encountered in an irrigation system. Opening and closing the two microvalves causes the main fluid valve to open and close.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of toy vehicles is remotely-controllable by a single associated remote controller for movement, and for the emission of a directed light beam in simulation of gunfire. Each vehicle is sensitive to the directionally emitted light beams, or simulated gunfire, of other vehicles. Such sensitivity is normally sequentially periodic in quadrants circumferentially around the vehicle, providing an element of randomness, and timing, to the registration of simulated hits from the simulated gunfire of opposing vehicles. The vehicle indicates the number of successive hits sustained, and after a predetermined number, nominally three, such hits becomes disabled until manually reset. Two such vehicles, each under the individual control of an associated remote controller, may be used to simulate combat during war gaming.

Abstract: A user interface, typically to an irrigation controller, prompts user responses by continuously autoscrolling questions. The questions are hierarchally organized, preferably in a hierarchal tree having approximately three to six questions on each hierarchal level between root and leaves. All command and data input may be done with only an OK/YES pushbutton switch, switches. Each OK/YES user response affirms the premise fo a currently-displayed question, and advances the autoscrolled questioning to a related branch upon a next hierarchal level. The NO pushbutton is never required to advance the questioning which is always autoscrolled, but instead serves, while depressed, to accelerate the autoscrolling of successive questions. A HELP response invokes context-sensitive help messages. A STOP response causes reversion in the hierarchy of questioning toward the root level, but does not stop the autoscrolling of questions.